Fort Worth
A pair of North Texas natives are ready for their close up.
Travis Jones, 30, and Cody Crawford, 36, have spent the last few years working behind-the-scenes in the art and production departments on Roku’s “Honest Renovations.” The show, co-hosted by actresses Jessica Alba and Lizzy Mathis, helps families renovate their homes to make them functional for everyday needs.
In the show’s fourth season, which premiered on Friday, Aug. 14, Jones and Crawford had the opportunity to move from behind the camera to in front of it.
The couple, who are life and creative partners, told the Star-Telegram the transition was seamless and hope that it leads to more on-camera work, perhaps even their own show.
“[Alba and Mathis] just saw the work that we put in, and they saw our passion,” Jones said. “That’s part of what made it an easy decision.”
Travis Jones and Cody Crawford on set. Courtesy of Travis Jones North Texas beginnings
The duo grew up surrounded by the construction and renovation businesses.
Jones, a Texas State alum, was born and raised in Fort Worth and got a taste for renovations thanks to his grandmother. Crawford, who graduated from the University of North Texas, is from Brock and spent several years working for his family’s roofing business.
The pair met outside Fort Worth’s Liberty Lounge around six years ago. Jones was going in, Crawford was on his way out.
From there, as they put it, they’ve spent every day together since that 2020 meeting. No matter if it was the pandemic, house renovations or cross-country travel, they’ve been inseparable at home and work.
“Our whole lives are this collaborative thing,” Crawford said. “Getting to do something you love with the person you love, what better life could you ask for?”
Travis Jones, Cody Crawford and Sam Elliott on the “1883” set. Courtesy of Travis Jones
Jones’ first foray into television came nearly a decade ago on “Texas Flip N’ Move,” when the show was looking for help while out filming in Azle.
When Jones met Crawford, he was still working for his family’s business and was ready for a change. One of their first projects they worked on together on was Taylor Sheridan’s “1883.” Jones was a set costumer and Crawford was a housing coordinator for the main cast.
From there, Crawford broke into the renovation world by cold calling some of Jones’ former colleagues and working his way onto sets. After working independent of each other for some time, eventually they were able to collaborate on projects like “Queer Eye” and “Rock the Block.”
As for why they both decided to go into television, rather than design and build things far from stage lights, Jones and Crawford agree that it’s a change of pace with a heartwarming reward.
“We get to transform these people’s lives,” Crawford said. “Travis and I pride ourselves, because every reveal that we’ve ever done, [the families have] cried every single time.”
‘Honest Renovations’ stardom
“Honest Renovations” had already run for a season before Jones and Crawford came on board.
For the show’s second go-around, Jones said Alba and Mathis were looking for partners that were more collaborative and able to executive the best possible idea. He and Crawford’s names came up in the search, and soon enough, they were on set ready to roll.
That’s why Jones believes they’ve had such a productive collaboration on the show — because he and Crawford figure out how to make the impossible possible.
“Even if there’s an idea they have at the beginning, they’re like, ‘I don’t know if that’s going to work,’” Jones said. “We’ll end up finding a way to make it work, and I think that’s what they appreciate about us.”
Travis Jones and Cody Crawford on set of “Honest Renovations.” Courtesy of Travis Jones
Making an episode of “Honest Renovations” is a project unto itself.
The process begins with a family being cast, and the casting director sharing a video of what the homeowner’s needs are. From there, Crawford will send the family a design questionnaire asking about their favorite colors, scents and everything in between.
They’ll get one scouting visit where Jones and Crawford will walk through the house and take measurements of everything. They have about a week to get a design together, and then the work begins.
This season featured two house renovations, which ran concurrently, for about a three-week total production timeline. In that time, work is done on the floors, bedrooms, bathrooms and anything else that needs a look.
The camera crews check in every couple of days, and Alba and Mathis are consulted in-between all the hustle and bustle. It’s a hard job, but to their credit, Jones and Crawford said they’ve never missed a reveal deadline.
“Everyone’s always like, ‘Oh, I would love to do what you guys do. Can I work for you guys’?” Crawford said. “I’m like, ‘It’s not glamorous, but it’s so worth it in the end.’”
When it came time for work in front of the camera, Jones said it was a seamless transition that came about naturally.
He and Crawford were having a conversation with Alba and Mathis about a kitchen one day, and Jones started to notice the camera enter the room as other team members filed out. Part of why it felt natural is that they were told to just be themselves and work as they would normally.
“I think Travis is a little more polished, and I’m definitely more like, I’m gonna say something that might get me in trouble,” Crawford joked. “That works really well for us.”
Travis Jones and Cody Crawford on set of “Rock the Block.” Courtesy of Travis Jones Coming soon
As Jones and Crawford sit back and reflect on their time this season, they also have an eye on the future.
They both see the on-camera experience as a pivot point. Whether that’s more “Honest Renovations” or perhaps even a show co-hosted by them, the couple aren’t ruling anything out.
“The future is hazy, but it’s starting to become a little bit more clear,” Jones said.
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If that future brought them back to work in Texas, Jones and Crawford said they would welcome it.
They still have a house in south Fort Worth and plenty of connections back to the area. Newly-passed film incentives by state lawmakers last year could also get the ball rolling.
But for now, Jones and Crawford are taking it all in. It’s been a long and tough road, but one they’ve walked together. Like a house with a strong foundation, they’re built to last.
“It’s just been so rewarding,” Jones said. “It just feels like we’re in the right place on the right path.”
“Honest Renovations” season 4 is streaming on Roku.
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Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Brayden Garcia is the entertainment reporter at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, where he mainly writes about how the film and TV industry impacts North Texas, from Taylor Sheridan shows to the Fort Worth Film Commission and everything in between.